If you want to give yourself a Web presence without spending a lot of time or money, a blog is your answer and this is your guide. Blogs (Web logs) are short, diary-like entries on a Web site that has a chronological, journal format. Fun or informative, but not formal, blogs are easy to set up, maintain, and update. You can share your personal, stream-of-consciousness musings or your expertise on any subject ranging from your family vacation to world peace. This guide helps beginners (even technophobes) get started fast, with the essential info on:

• The elements of blogs, such as entries, sidebars, categories, comments, and index pages
• The different types of hosting services, from free to fee and from ÔÇ£turn keyÔÇØ services that are easy-to-use to DIY programs┬á
• Details on two popular, free ÔÇ£social communityÔÇØ hosted Web services that are ideal for casual bloggersÔÇöMSN Spaces and Yahoo! 360
• The scoop on Blogger, a popular free hosted service that has some community tools like the social networks, but is basically blog-intensive
• DIY blogging, covering three of the most powerful and flexible blog programsÔÇöMovable Type, WordPress, and Radio Userland
• Hooking into RSS feeds to distribute your blog entries beyond your site
• Choosing a newsreader
• Ways to raise the visibility of your blog and make money from blogging

Complete with step-by-step instructions and lots of screen shots, this guide walks you through everything from setting up your blog and posting your first entry to adding photos, audio, and more. It includes the URLs of lots of sample sites to see to give you an idea of blog possibilities. In addition to the essential how-to, it fills you in on:

• The blogosphere, blog culture and etiquette, snarks, macrologues, and more
• Moblogs that let you post entries remotely using your portable computer, PDA, or cell phone
• Buying a domain through a registrar such as Network Solutions, Register.com, or Go Daddy
• MP3 blogs, vlogs (videoblogs), photoblogging, audioblogging, podcasting, and more

You know you have something to say, whether itÔÇÖs heavy stuff or just your thought for the day. Make your opinions known. Get your photos shown. With Blogging For Dummies, youÔÇÖll soon be blogging with the best of ÔÇÿem.

Review

Blogging for Dummies gets the thumbs upyou should be able to find all the answers to those questions about blogs youve been afraid to ask (The Inquirer (Web), 21 February 2006)

From the Back Cover

Compare blog services, find out about feeds, and blog safely

So you're really curious about this whole phenomenon called blogging? Wondering if you should jump on board? Here's your ticket! Find out what makes a blog a blog, how to start one and choose a host, and how to keep your blog updated. Explore styles and content sources ÔÇö you may even be able to make your blog make money!

Discover how to

• Compare options for hosting your blog
• Follow blogging etiquette
• Work with Blogger, WordPress, and TypePad
• Set up RSS feeds
• Explore sponsored blogs
• Check into podcasting, moblogging, and photoblogging